German word

klingeln

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈklɪŋl̩n/

Meaning

  • verbring

Example

Das Handy klingelt.

The mobile phone is ringing.

Illustration for klingeln (ring)

More examples

Im Büro klingelt oft das Bürotelefon.

The office phone often rings.

Core concept

A brief repeated sound from a bell, phone, or doorbell that attracts attention.

Common phrases

  • das Handy klingelt

    the mobile phone rings

  • das Bürotelefon klingelt

    the office phone rings

  • die Türklingel klingelt

    the doorbell rings

Similar words

anrufen: To contact someone by phone and begin a conversation.
telefonieren: To have a conversation with someone by phone.
vibrieren: To vibrate as a notification signal, whether or not a ringtone also sounds.
läuten: To produce a ringing sound from a bell or church bell.

Definition in German

Ein Verb für das kurz anhaltende, oft wiederholte Läuten von Klingeln, Telefonen oder Türklingeln; in Phrasen wie ‚bei jemandem klingeln‘ gebräuchlich.

Word origin

Klingeln developed from klingen, 'to sound', with an iterative suffix that marks repeated or momentary sounding.

Usage tips

  • As an intransitive verb, klingeln describes the bell or device making the sound, while 'ring someone' usually translates as jemanden anrufen.

Opposites

  • verstummenfall silentverb
  • verklingendie awayverb

Related words

  • die Klingelbellnoun
  • der Klingeltonringtonenoun
  • klingelndringingadjective

Word lists with this word